Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the opening ceremony. (Photo: VietnamPlus) Hanoi (VNA) – The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Digital World 2021 officially kicked off on October 12 evening with the participation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Hosted by the Ministry of Information and Communications, the ITU Digital World 2021 includes online exhibition activities and forums.
158 countries participate in ITU Digital World 2021
Addressing the event, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung stressed that during the events of this kind organised by the ITU over the past 50 years, management agencies and global ICT businesses have focused on discussing policies, strategies, initiatives and solutions for infrastructure development, service universalisation, promotion of cooperation, and narrowing the development gap between the 193 member countries of the ITU.
A year ago, the ITU agreed with Vietnam's initiative to change the name of the event from the World Telecommunication Conference and Exhibition to the Digital World 2021.
The change of the event's name after 48 years reflects that of the event’s focus, which is the convergence of telecommunications with information technology and digital technology, Minister Hung said.
Since last year, the number of ministers and leaders of global ICT businesses attending the event has almost tripled.
This year’s event attracted the participation of 32 ministers, eight deputy ministers, and 90 speakers from 158 countries, international organisations and major global technology corporations.
Minister Hung said that in order to promote rapid and sustainable development, the most appropriate solution at present is digital development.
Technologies of the 4th Industrial Revolution focus mainly on digital development, he said, adding that digital development can be considered as the key development of the first half of the 21st century.
Vietnam and ITU member countries have committed to jointly promote cooperation with a focus on digital transformation and narrowing the digital gap between countries, he stated.
ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao said that Vietnam's achievements in technology and digital transformation are a great model for the region and the world.
Past events of ITU Telecom have contributed to creating amazing changes, from the emergence of the Internet and wireless networks to new technologies such as 5G and artificial intelligence. IT events have provided businesses with opportunities to showcase their achievements.
Zhao also emphasised the importance of broadband as well as innovative ways to improve digital skills and reduce digital inequality, saying that in February 2022, the ITU will invite leaders to share experiences in this field.
He expressed his hope that public-private partnerships and cooperation will help achieve global connectivity from now until 2030.
Promoting values of digital transformation and technology
In his opening speech, PM Chinh emphasised that this event will contribute to promoting values of digital transformation and technology in order to develop a collaborative and sharing digital economy for the benefit and advancement of the people worldwide who are experiencing unprecedented rapid changes, especially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The strong development of science and technology and the global digital transformation process have posed both opportunities and challenges for countries, the PM noted.
The event takes place from October 12-14. (Photo: VIetnamPlus) However, digital transformation is certainly the right direction to both ensure a new normal operation in the digital space and contribute to economic recovery with people's health and safety always being placed first, the PM said.
Despite being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam's economy is still expected to grow in the medium and long terms, the Vietnamese Government leader said, noting that the balance of the economy continues to be ensured while drivers for growth are maintained.
PM Chinh also emphasised that the Vietnamese Government considers digital and data infrastructure and national digital platforms as the key factors for the country’s digital transformation roadmap.
The Government always believes that Vietnam's digital technology enterprises will play an important role in implementing the roadmap, thus realising the goal of boosting its digital economy to account for 20 percent of its GDP by 2025, and 30 percent in 2030, he stressed.
The leader highly values the efforts of the Ministry of Information and Communications to actively cooperate with the ITU to organise this event, urging businesses and organisations to further promote cooperation and work closely with governments to overcome difficulties and proactively adapt safely and flexibly to restore economic development.
Vietnam hopes that the ITU will continue to promote its role in coordinating and leading countries and regions to expand cooperation in building a digital world and ensuring cyber security, he said.
Member countries expect the ITU to make recommendations on the framework and code of conduct on the digital platform to protect their interests as well as interests of people and businesses, the PM added. He affirmed that Vietnam and other ITU member nations give a high priority to tapping all benefits of digital technology to improve the quality of people's life./.
